Pages

Apr 23, 2014

Just in time for bathing suit season

Is your body beach-ready yet? I can tell you that mine is NOT. While beauty products are no substitute for a healthy lifestyle, I am a summer beauty skincare regimen to get this body bikini ready.

Step 1: Exfoliation via Alba Botanica Hawaiian Body Scrub. This sea salt scrub has become one of my favorite weekly (ok, twice a week) pleasures. The purpose is to gently exfoliate and moisturize my skin to get it all smooth and taught once summer comes around, but it doesn't hurt that it smells fantastic. AND it's super affordable (approximately $12.49). The vegetarian formula has Pacific sea salts to detoxify, citrus to invigorate the senses, along with a blend of jojoba, macadamia, and almond oils to moisturize the skin. Plus every good self-tanning application starts with a good exfoliation, which brings us to...

Step 2: Self Tanning.

St Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil may make you think of a messy situation in your bathroom, but the non-greasy, quick-dry formula is virtually foolproof. This is the first self-tanner in an oil formula (which took years to develop) and it gives 7 days of healthy, glowing skin. The formula uses a naturally-derived tanning agent (no harsh chemicals, parabens, or sulfates here), along with 100% natural Neroli, Lemongrass, and Grapefruit essential oils, so it smells better than any tanner you've ever used. Just think of all the things you've ever wanted in a self-tanner, and you've got this stuff. Moisture, glow, and good smell? Sign me up. And don't be jealous when you see me walking down the street like some sort of bronzed Goddess.

A bronze glow makes my world go round, but last on my list for bikini body preparation is a little less fun to talk about.

Step 3: Combat stretch marks.

I mean, what is good about stretch marks? NOTHING. StriVectin SD Advanced™ Intensive Concentrate for Wrinkles & Stretch Marks is an improved version of their cult classic stretch mark cream. The revamped formula is made to visibly reduce stretch marks in 15 days. I'm starting right now. This cream contains a proprietary NIA-114® and a new Collagex-CE Wrinkle Repair Complex™that is supposed to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin, targeting the collagen that keeps skin youthful and supple. These proprietary complexes infuse the skin with amino acids and copper in order to help with collagen production in order to diminish the length and depth of fine lines/wrinkles. It also strengthens the skin's barrier in order to protect it from external aggressors. It's basically targeting the inside and the outside of skin to reduce gross stretch marks and wrinkles, so I'm going to use this every day until I have to be in a bathing suit.